Fantasy Football Draft Strategy: Don't Draft a Backup Quarterback or Tight End

Tired of the same old draft strategy and want to try something a bit new for 2013? Well I have something a bit radical for you to consider. In my latest drafts I have not been drafting a backup quarterback or tight end.

In a typical 12-person league, if everyone drafted a backup quarterback that would mean the bottom 12 quarterbacks would be available on the waiver wire. If you don't draft a quarterback that would mean the bottom 13 are available. Players like Josh Freeman, Brandon Weeden, Ryan Tannehill and a few others would be there on the waiver wire for your bye week.

I understand when that bye week comes or if there is an injury to your starting quarterback you are putting yourself in a tough spot, but consider the alternative. Typically backup quarterbacks start to be drafted in round nine through the end. This would mean you would have running backs and wide receivers to stash on your bench to see if they emerge.

Players like Josh Gordon, Michael Floyd, Chris Givens, Lance Moore and many more would be available to you. If a player like Josh Gordon comes back after his suspension and performs extremely well you have a solid backup, a bye-week filler or—better yet—trade bait. Also if there is an injury to a starter, like your quarterback, you can use the trade bait to help you recover.

Here is where you start to really crush the competition. You bundle a Josh Gordon and DeSean Jackson (for example) and upgrade to a Vincent Jackson or Larry Fitzgerald. If you are able to bundle two players for one you are increasing your overall strength.

The other position I am not backing up is tight end. In the same scenario, in which the bottom 13 tight ends are available, you have players such as Jordan Cameron, Brent Celek, Marcedes Lewis and a number of others for a one-week bye.

For 2013, consider rounding out your bench with an extra wide receiver or running back. You will thank me later.